Ramadan marks the month of fasting that
is observed by 86% of the 160 million
people in Bangladesh. The most notable
change in the streets can be seen in the
changing shopping habits of the people!
Even though restaurants are closed
during the day, they sell just as much
food serving “Iftar” (breaking of the fast
goodies!) and some even stay open for
Sehri ( the meal before dawn.) The
goodies of Iftar in Bangladesh and in Old
Dhaka (older historical part of the capital)
are mostly lentil based batter, grilled or
fried. The experience of simply being in
Old Dhaka before the breaking of the fast
stimulates ALL your senses! And here is
how…
Soaking in Atmospher
The Chawk Bazaar throbs with bustling
sound human multitudes and the street
venders screaming out slogans on top of
their voices, ‘boro baper polai khai,
thonga bhoira loiya jai’ (the big-shot’s
son could buy a full packet and eat it).
‘Boro Baaper Pola’ is a mixture of
chicken, chick-peas, puffed-rice etc that
suits the Bengali taste.
The air is redolent with strong aroma of
piled up heaps of iftar delicacies laid out
on large trays and bamboo-baskets. The
Chawk Bazaar is an age-old place for
traditional iftar market.
The entire span of road in front of Chawk
Bazaar Shahi Mashjid becomes a grand
fair of palpitating buyers oscillating
between open-air stalls that stretch out
in every corner of the street.
Ancient Pride
The Chawk Bazaar of Puran Dhaka is
renowned for its 400 years of traditional
iftar bazaar and heaven for meat-lovers!
A steaming hot plate of Haleem or a lofty
amount of Mutton Biryani are the most
enticing delicacies anyone could ask for.
Almost all the kiosks sell Haleem,
Chicken and Mutton Kebabs and Kheema
and Dum Biryani to ravenous diners but
Mohammed Rafique, son of Fakruddin
Munshi, can’t help but boast about his
Hyderabadi roots as he dishes out these
meaty Biryani and Haleem. The recipe
has been passed down from one
generation to the next and the taste has
been the same for centuries.
